Finding A Spiritual Teacher
[originally on The Huffington Post 3/2/10]
When I met my teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1971, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection. At the time I was attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and studying yoga at a nearby studio. Rinpoche came to our yoga studio to lead a weekend meditation workshop shortly after arriving in this country via England, via India, via Tibet. What struck me right away about him was that he was extremely clear and totally present, not making any kind of big show or putting on any airs. He was just simple and direct, and at the same time very magnetic and intelligent.
Shortly after that first meeting, I actually quit a very good summer job playing guitar on Cape Cod to go study with Rinpoche. I had a vivid dream about him and just felt compelled to go see him. Maybe that was a different time and place, I don’t know…
These days, many meditation students have questions about how to find a spiritual teacher, what criteria to use and what to expect from such a relationship. I think the mood is different than it was in the early 70′s when lots of us seemed willing to just dive into something and take a chance.
Then and now, however, when we are looking for a teacher, it is helpful to have a sense of how deep into our own journey we are prepared to go. That way we will be able to choose an appropriate level of study. It is also important to carefully consider the qualifications of our teacher and the extent to which that person actually embodies the teachings being presented.
As it is presented in the Buddhist tradition, there are three stages of teacher/student relationship:
At first, the teacher manifests as an elder or preceptor. The teacher is a knowledgeable, experienced individual who presents the dharma in a straightforward and informative manner. The student is open minded, but sharp and critical in receiving the teachings, carefully evaluating what has been said, digesting the meaning, and evaluating for herself how relevant and useful the information is.
In the second level, the teacher manifests as a “spiritual friend” or mentor. Here the teacher is considered a qualified guide and companion on the spiritual journey. The relationship is more direct and is based on “eye-level” communication. The teacher has experience that enables him to understand the student’s journey and is in a position to counsel, support, encourage and even give critical feedback when necessary. At this point the student’s journey is becoming more personal and less theoretical, and individual advice and support are an important element in that progression.
Entering the third stage, the teacher is seen as an accomplished master whose guidance and feedback are essential. The teacher is now working very directly with the student’s state of mind and helping to bring out her full capacity. If we use the analogy of martial arts, now the student and teacher are working with real weapons — there is less margin for error. Precision and trust are essential.
Buddhist texts refer to all kinds of qualities for a qualified master, but even if you find one, without a strong personal connection between the master and the student this advanced level of training may not really be effective. It is essential that the teacher is thoroughly trained herself and completely personifies what is being presented. Sometimes the teachings at this level are called transmission or “ear whispered.” The communication is very direct and powerful.
Ultimately, it is said that the real teacher/guru is actually internal — within ourselves — and that the inner guru, the outer guru and the student’s mind come together seamlessly. At that point the student also begins to embody the teachings, and there is no longer a separation between the mind of the teacher and the mind of the student. In some of the Buddhist lineages of Tibet, this kind of direct lineage transmission from master to disciple can be traced back hundreds of years.
The analogy that is used to describe this kind of lineage transmission is that of passing on a recipe for making bread. The recipe is old but the bread is made fresh and hot each time. Respect for lineage and tradition can be unsettling for some American students, who may culturally thrive on rebellion and a fascination with whatever is new and different. With that in mind it seems that we are living through a very interesting and transitional time in the evolution of Buddhism in the West — perhaps a new cultural hybrid will emerge. What do you think?
I haven’t had much luck finding a teacher or guide. Perhaps it’s me.
Any thoughts on receiving teachings through books rather than in person? Is it the same?
I think it is just difficult to find sincere teachers who are not looking to profit from their practice. Perhaps it’s because the US doesn’t have the same kind of institutions for supporting monks and such? I don’t know. It seems the wisest people in our country so often become superstars since the thirst for solace is so great, and then they are out of reach for one-to-one guidance. It’s quite a problem. Where to look without running into the money demon? Or the mentally unstable…. Maybe a deficit of trust is at issue. But who to trust?
I humbly submit that I might not know what I’m talking about.
Good article and good comments!
Ultimately, we all have the same Teacher – Reality.
As such, it’s important that seekers/students be able to clearly discern – for themselves – that which is Real from that which is Un-Real.
While a Teacher can be of great help in pointing-out where to ‘look,’ for instance, and in offering-up useful tools – stability and insight, vipassana and shamatha, etc – any actual ‘realization’ by the student comes from her or his own discernment into the inner workings of her or his own mind.
My experience has been that the deepest, most refined discernment happens to those with Healthy Balanced Egos – a healthy, balanced ego, believe it or not, is Strong Enough to Let Itself Go.
Otoh, a Traumatized Ego is often too shaky to ‘see’ clearly, or has ‘blind’ spots that prevent the Truth from revealing itself.
Therefore, I often recommend that those with Trauma in their backgrounds consider seeking help through Therapy in order to cultivate a solid foundation from which to conduct their spiritual practice.
Thanks for that, has been one of my big concerns of late…
The coolest thing about the internet is that teachers who travel the world can be accessible to even more people on a regular basis.
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Enjoyed it! Looking forward to your Dharma talk at OM tomorrow at noon.
Awesome.:)
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Two thumbs up!
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be your own teacher, live your life as a example, and don’t do anything that you would not want to happen to… you don’t need a guru to get between you and your money or your labor… love yourself as a example
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I am a gifted artist able to draw and paint by myself at a very early age. However if I want to be a master artist, to know other methods and tricks, to refine my talent and strengthen my discipline I must study with a master.
Gotama Budhha was trained in all the arts including the art of war. He also trained under the highest spiritual masters of his land and found the methods all very good but still didn’t free him. With all the training and support under his belt he made the final great effort. Before this effort he had many people help him and teach him to refine his potential as a bodhisatta.
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A real Master/Teacher/Guru will want you to find your own strength, will give you the tools to advance spiritually in your own way and on your own terms – he will never want you to be dependent on him. A Master’s work is to guide you to find your own truth.
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I experience the clarity when I am with a real teacher regardless of their tradition… I know that any unconscious or hidden part of me is completely visible to them and I become uncomfortable. I am naked in their presence, be it Trunpa, Norbu, EJ Gold, Tarthang Tulku, Lee Lozowick, Suleyman Dede, and others. Regardless of how difficult it is at the time I know that this discomfort is mine and a guidepost, a way for me to move beyond my own unconsciousness, this is sometimes misunderstood by non-students.
Some teachers are like olympic trainers, some like drill sergeants, they are cooks, artists, businessmen… you apprentice with them to learn. If you follow your instinct you will find your teacher. It’s the teacher not you doing the interview.
An Idries Shah story: a group of scholars went to meet a Sufi who had the reputation of having great knowledge. Upon arrival an aide took their coats and threw mud on the coats. The guests said, “how disrespectful!”… the Sheikh replied, “you said you came for knowledge, anyone who wants something from you can show respect.”
I met Trungpa in 1976, he was a relentless truth master. Any criticism of Trungpa or other real teachers usually comes from failed students. A real teacher or master will always do what is appropriate for the situation, not to say they don’t make mistakes, but ego is not their motivator.
Also, dead teachers can’t kick ass.
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One of my favorite online sites which give excellent advice on how to find a teacher and what to do when you and your teacher start working together.
http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/approaching_buddhism/teachers/spiritual_student/scheme_analy_spiritual_teacher_guru.html
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i thought this a wonderful story. it is not quite what i beleive in butt enough it makes the point. i follow jiddu krishnamurti. i have a video of krishnamurti and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche talking. is very nice.
enlightenment is a wonderful thing and most dificult in the face of christianity.
You cannot possibly be “following ” Krishnamurtii.. He has been deceased for 25 years.
You probably read a few of his books/lectures and were influenced by his ideas. This is very good.
But the entire thrust of this article ( and I concur) that the tradition of working with a ( alive) teacher is invaluable. And is the most effective ( if not the only) way to advance in spiritual studies.
Good post. It is not easy to find a good teacher. There’s a certain( large?) amount of luck, good karma and persistence involved
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“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
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An insightful and valuable article. I believe the teacher will come to you when he/she or a life’s events calls for it. Teachers can come in all forms. The key is to be in a state of readiness and awareness when the teacher arrives so you can recognize the connection. However, a connection is not always necessary. I think we’ve all experienced a challenging situation or person in our life that turns into a great lesson.
If a person can find a teacher in a physical body, that’s great but stay open to life’s lessons. The universe is amazing and will bring you the most powerful lessons you can ever imagine.
David I tried to comment on the HuffPo link on the main page and was told I don’t have “permission”. Here’s the comment:
Solid, brother. Thanks for bringing this conversation forward. I especially liked emphasizing “the extent to which that person actually embodies the teachings being presented.” A true teacher must absolutely walk their talk. So few do.
It’s also kinda like they have (internally) something we want to imbibe. I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend time with some truly Great Beings.
As to the current cultural evolution, it reminds me of the environmental crisis and much more. Some are listening to Mother Earth while others are totally in their heads. Nothing new but maybe a bit more dramatic. Certainly the addiction to rebelliousness is nothing new. RIght?
PS I’m very much looking forward to hearing Krishna Das via your studio ear.